This enthusiastic life coach expert pioneers the art of elevating the lifestyles of many by engaging them in winning skills and strategies.
Meet Lucy Seifert, a renowned life coach and trainer specialising in ‘Assertiveness’ at both the personal and professional levels, and an author of several professional works on coaching and training. She had previously worked in politics, labour relations and for a social care charity before going freelance.
Lucy’s exceptional support for individuals to make a positive difference in their personal and working lives has influenced clients to live their lives to the utmost and reach their fullest potential.
Reflecting on her schooldays Lucy says: “I had progressive views and some teachers showed their disapproval. I particularly remember when I was 15 being asked by the English teacher to write an essay about three laws I would introduce. My three were prison reform, gender equality and anti-discrimination laws. The essay came back covered in red marks. Next parents’ evening the teacher told my parents in no uncertain terms that I would never make university or come to anything for that matter.
My rebellious side kicked in and I was determined to prove them wrong. From getting into the LSE, among the top universities in the world, working in Parliament, training in leading institutions and writing books – I feel proud of the professional path I chose. I know that we can choose either to be cowed by those who would put us down or we can choose to prove ourselves, not to them, but to ourselves! I worked hard to get there – often working into the night. I also accepted and created opportunities for myself, whether writing, training or coaching. One of my favorite sayings is the Chinese proverb: “The weak wait for opportunity, the strong seize opportunity, the wise create their own opportunity.”
In battling shyness in her early teens Lucy says, “If anyone had suggested that I’d end up training City Financiers and University Lecturers and Researchers in assertiveness and public speaking, I would have found it laughable. Twenty years later that’s exactly what I was doing. During my twenties, I forced myself to overcome my nerves about standing up and speaking or asking questions from the audience. I put myself into situations such as volunteering to chair meetings and express my thoughts and opinions.”
Back in 1991, Lucy qualified as an Assertiveness Trainer. She further advanced her skills by completing ‘training the trainer’ courses in diverse areas such as conflict resolution, time management and stress management. Achieving a First-Class Life Coaching diploma, she created a plethora of successful courses of her own. The courses focus on topics such as dealing with difficult people, feedback, interview skills, life coaching using the GROW model, public speaking, etc. She enjoyed the success of working with her own material rather than with the work of others and it was this that inspired her to write books.
Her new venture as an author grew out of a meeting with a commissioning editor at a human resources exhibition. At that time, he was looking for someone to write an assertiveness guide for professionals. Lucy’s first book, Training for Assertiveness, was published in the UK, USA, Taiwan, Netherlands, Denmark. Four more titles followed published by Gower-Ashgate, including 40 Activities for Training Self-empowerment, Pen & Paper Games for Trainers (to put the fun into learning & training/coaching delivery), Troubleshooting for Trainers, and chapters in Understanding Body Language.
Ultimately, she helped both trainers and coaches in developing their professional skills and skills for life. Being a member of the Association for Coaching and Society of Authors, she started writing and providing self-study e-guides for those who prefer to learn quietly, in their own time.
She had the privilege of training people from diverse backgrounds and professions including lawyers, doctors, financiers, journalists, business owners, parents, people with disabilities and students. During her 30 years as coach/trainer, she has coached and trained individuals and trainers including at NatWest IT Research and Development and Charities such as Full of Life, empowering parents of disabled children. Lucy also worked with Stuart Low Trust supporting adults with mental health issues, plus University of Oxford, training staff in assertiveness as well as a women’s Springboard program.
Lucy also willingly opened up about her current challenges in dealing with technologies whilst coaching online and driving social media during the COVID situation. She explains “I’ve had to seek a lot of help. It’s important to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for it. A coach is a helper and enabler, and we all could do with help at times so we can use our professional skills to the full. During this time, I also decided to take training with my professional body, Association for Coaching, on Coaching Bereavement Through a Pandemic. As a professional coach, the pandemic has meant working with people faced with loss and uncertainty and yet helping them take charge of their lives and plan for the future.”
“Believe in your self-worth as a person and professional. It’s important to seize and create opportunities”. Avoid giving your time and expertise too freely whilst embracing kindness and generosity”, she added to the inspiring conversation. Surpassing all the hurdles and believing in herself, Lucy stands out as an iconic figure over the years helping individuals achieve their potential towards a promising future.
Back in 1991, Lucy qualified as an Assertiveness Trainer. She further advanced her skills by completing ‘training the trainer’ courses in diverse areas such as conflict resolution, time management and stress management. Achieving a First-Class Life Coaching, she created a plethora of successful courses of her own. The courses focus on topics such as dealing with difficult people, feedback, interview skills, life coaching using the GROW model, public speaking, etc. She enjoyed the success of working with her own material rather than with the work of others and it was this that inspired her into book writing.
